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REPRESENTATIVES from the Bord na Mona Group of Unions met with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, to discuss the threat by Bord na Mona to close its peat briquette plant in Littleton.

In a statement to the Tribune, BNM Group of Unions Secretary and SIPTU organiser, John Regan said the representatives met with Minister Denis Naughten on Wednesday, May 10th, following his address to the ICTU Just Transition Climate Change Seminar in the Communications Workers Union Conference Centre in Dublin.

'At the meeting, the Minister was clearly informed of the deep anger among our members concerning the threat to close the Littleton plant and the manner in which it was announced without any prior discussions with the BNM Groups of Union.

The BNM Group of Unions representatives told the Minister that they weren't prepared to engage with the management of Bord na Mona on its agenda until it removes the threat to close the Littleton plant in March 2018. The Minister listened and noted the BNM Group of Unions' position regarding the number of key concerns raised.'

Unite Official, Ed Thompson said it was encouraging to hear many speakers at the ICTU Just Transition Climate Change Seminar calling on Bord na Mona to 'set a high standards for companies in Ireland and across the EU, by treating workers who face losing their jobs with the respect and dignity their loyal service deserves'.

ICTU General Secretary, Patrick King stated: 'We can't simply abandon people and communities. The Bord na Mona announcement in relation to the Littleton Plant is a prime example of how not to manage the process of moving to generating energy from renewable sources. It's clear evidence of why we need a well ordered "just transition".

There's a moral, social, political and economic imperative for us to do so. In that context, we need to urgently establish a forum comprising of all stakeholders that can draw up guidelines on how we can best manage this process, create a "just transition" and ensure that the Littleton case doesn't become the standard.'